Method and apparatus for securing objects in wells



sept. 1o, i940.

A. ENGLISH METHOD AND APPAKATUS FOR SECURING OBJECTS IN WELLS Filed March 29, 1939 4. a a w 2, Sheets-Sheet. 2

@www METHOD AND APPARATUS Fon. snorinme oJEc'rs 1N WELLS Aaron English, Beunower, Calif. I

Application March 29, 1939, Serial No. 264,770

,. 7 Claims.

Y* lI hisinvention relates tothe testing, equipping and producing ofwells and relates more particularly to methods and apparatusfor anchoring or securing objects in wells.A A. .general object. of this invention is to provide a rapid, practical method and a simple, dependable and inexpensive applaratus for anchoring or. securing objects in We S;

It is frequently necessary to anchorl or secure l0 tools and pieces of equipment in wells in carrying out the various well drilling and producing operations. For example, well tubing and similar tubular objects must be anchored or secured in the well. It has been the general practice `to '5 secure oranchor tubing and like objects by means of gripping devices such as anchors or to cement the objects in place. Anchors are expensive and are not always positive while cement jobs are insecure and in many cases it is dimcult to effectively cement an objectin a Well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method for anchoring or securing objects in .weils thatfavoids the usev of gripping devices and cement. Another object of this invention is to provide a method by means of which an object such as a.

section of a tubular strlngis expanded in the v wen to obtain a. firm hold on the wan of` the well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of the character mentioned that may be repeated at vertically-spaced points along va tubular well string to positively prevent Working, creeping and vibration of the string. .Another object of this invention is to provide a method of the .character mentioned that may be economically and rapidly carried out with conventionalwell equipment.

Another object of this invention is to provide 40 means for securing an object in a well that is operable .to obtain a firm, dependable engagement with the wall of the well which in some lcases may be the earth formation, and in other cases may be the casing lining the well.

' 45 Another object of this invention is to provide means foranchoring an object in a well that-is readily drillable, that is, the anchoring means may be easily and quickly removed from the well well that assures a :duid-tight engagement be'' tween theobject and the wall of the well and a at any time by operating drilling tools to drill ilrm, secure gripping or holding engagement of the object with the well wall.

Afurther object of this invention is to provide a novel inexpensive anchor for well tubing, and the like, that is expansible into effective '5 molding or anchoring engagement with the `wall of the well.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood fromthe following detailed description of typical preferred 10 forms and applications of the apparatus 'and typical preferred manners of carrying out the method of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 15

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of a well with one form of apparatus of the f invention in position in the well casing preparatory to the expanding of the anchor member, showing portions of the apparatus in vertical 20 cross section.V Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing. the anchor member expanded. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view. of the pressure generatingmeans or explosive means illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 25 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a well showing an anchor member of the present invention connected with a formation tester and an explosive means in position to expand the anchor member, a portion of the anchor member being 30 in vertical cross section, and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 illustrating the anchor member ex panded and showing a portion of the anchor 'member and the tester in longitudinal crosssection. I 35 The method and apparatus of the present invention have many uses or applications, being adapted to anchor, hold or support various obvjects and tools in wells, and being useful under various different well conditions. In the follow- 4i ing detailed description Iwill describe two typi'- cal applications of the invention, it being understood that these typical uses or applications are not to be'construed as limiting thescope of the invention. l 4E The apparatus of the inventionillustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 may be said to comprise, genierally, a tubular well string l0, an expansible anchor member 'i I connected in the string l0, and means .I2 for expanding the member l I to anchor the :string lil in the well. The portion of the well illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is equipped with a typical casing C. The casing'C constitutes the wall of thelwell W and the anchor member Ii is 51 ment of the invention.

expansible to obtain a secure holding or anchoring engagement with the casing.

The tubular well string I Il may be in the nature of a string of well tubing for carrying a well pump and for conducting the well uid to the ground surface. The string I@ may be made up of a plurality of lengths or sections I3 of tubing connected by threaded collars or couplings Iii. The tubing string Il] may be assembled and run into the well casing C in the manner well known to those skilled in the art. In accordance with the usual practice the tubing string I is received in. the casing C with suitable clearance. In the construction illustrated a shoe I5 is attached to the lower end of kthe string I0 to support a well pumpi-not shown). The shoe I5 may be of typical design and may have a tapered internal sealing surface Iii and an internal downwardly facing latch shoulder Il below the surface it. The pump anchoring or supporting shoe I 5 may be threaded on the lower end of the lowermost tubing section I3.

The anchor member II is an important ele- The member l I is adapted to be connected in or secured to the string I@ at any selected point. trated the member II is connected in the string I0 above the lowermost tubing section I 3. The adjacent threaded collars or couplings I4 may be employed to secure the member II in the string I0. The mating threads on the upper end of the member II and the cooperating coupling Ill may be lefthand threads whereby the portion of the string I0 above the member II may be readily disconnected -from the member and withdrawn from the well if this becomes necessary. The anchor member II as initially formed may be a simple cylindrical tubular element of suita-No length. The member I I is generally of ,thesame diameter as the tubing sections I3 although it is preferred to make the wall of the member I I of greater thickness than the walls of the sections I3.

In accordance with the invention the member II is designed to be expansible under the inuence of internal pressures. The anchor member II is formed of a yielding or ductile material. In most cases it is believed that it will be most practical to form the member II of copper, a1- though it may be practical to form the member II of otherductile material such as aluminum, aluminum alloys., lead, lead alloys, tin, soft iron such as Armee iron, etc. the member II is adapted gripping lengagement in the casing C when expanded and Iit may be desired to coat the member I I with synthetic rubber, or the like, to seal with the inner wall of the casing. The sealing material may be dispensed with as the member II is adapted to have effective metal to metal sealing contact with the casing C.

The means I2 for expanding the anchor member II is operable to generate or produce iiuid pressurey in the member to expand the member into secure engagment with the interior of the casing C. The means I2 is preferably in the nature of an explosive means although it may employ or embody uid combinations or other elements operable to generate uid pressure more slowly than explosives. In the caseillustrated the means I2 comprises a container I8 adapted to be lowered through the string I0 to a position in the member II. The container I8 is adapted to hold an explosive charge I9 and is frangible. 'I'he upper end of the container I8 is closed by a In the construction illus- As mentioned above,-

to have holding or asignar cover 2@ shaped to have a central rope socket 2l receiving the lower portion of a cable or line 22. The line 22 is adapted to lower the means I2 down through the string I E to the selected position in the member Il. The upper end of the cover 2 has an annular upwardly facing groove 4,with downwardly converging walls. The explosive charge I9 in the container Iii may be such that it may be set od by electrical ignition. In the case illustrated, however, it will be considered that the charge I@ is a charge o dynamite, trinitrotoluene, or the like, to be set oi by a percussion cap ZEI. The cap 2li may be set in an opening in the cover 2@ to have its pin and upper portion exposed at the bottom of the groove 23.

The pressure generating means il? further includes a go-devil or weight element ior firing the percussion cap 2Q. The weight element iii may be a tubular member designed to be dropped or lowered down the line 22 from the ground surface. The lower end of the weight element 25 is provided with a ilared ange 26 designed to enter the groove 23 and to strike the cap 2d. The walls of the groove 23 are adapted to guide or direct the flange 2b to have the desired impact with the percussion cap 24 to fire the same.- The go-devil or weight element 25 may be dropped to lfreely fall down the line 22 so that its ange 26 res the cap 2li.

The method of the invention as employed with the apparatus illustrated in Figs. l, 2 and 3, may be said to comprise, generally, the provision of the ductile anchor member II in the well string I0, the positioning of the string I@ and member II in the well and the expansion of the member I I by the means I2 to secure the string I0 against vibration and movement. l

The expansible anchor member II may be easily assembled or connected in the tubing string I0 when the 'string is assembled and run into the casing C. Where the anchor member II is intended to cooperate with the well casing Cit is assembled in the string I0 to assume the desired position in the casing C when the string is in its final position in the well. The string I'D embodying or carrying the anchor member II may be made up and run into the casing C in the manner well known to those skilled in the art. The depth or position of the member II is determined or measured.

To expand the anchor member II theA container I2 is rst secured to the lower end of the line 22 and is then run down through the string I0 on the line. The depth yor position oi the member I I having been previously determined 'the line 22 may be measured as it is run into the;

well to bring the means I2 to a position between the end s of the anchor member II. The godevil or weight element 25 is then dropped down the line 22. The flange 26 on the lower end of the member 25 strikes 'the percussion cap 24 and the cap fires the charge I9. 'I'he charge I9 suddenly generates substantial pressure within the tubular member II and this pressure acts .outwardly or radially on the Wall of the ductile member II to expand the same into effective holding and sealing engagement with the internal surface of the casing C. The means I2, that is, the explosive charge I9, may generate suicient heat to renderthe'material of the member II more ductile. The column of liquid that may be standing in the well may serve to confine the explosion so that the generated pressure acts laterally or 7| amaca? I radially against the wall of the tubular member II to more efficiently expand the member.

'I'he member II isv expanded against the casing C with great force and the ductile metal of the member II is brought into intimate Vcon tact with the metal of the casing C. The ductile metal of the anchor member II is forced into or ows into the crevices, interstices, etc., of the casing C so that'the member obtainsa. rm, dependable hold in the casing C. The member I I is expanded throughout its circumference and for a substantial vertical distance to have exten- 1 sive holding and sealing contact with the cas- .casing C at one point, it vwill be obvious that the method described above may be performed at vertically spaced points along the string I0 to anchor the string in the casing C at several places.

The apparatus of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings may be said to comprise, generally, a tubular well string 30, a formation tester 3I, an expansible anchor member 32 connected with the string 30' and the tester 3|, and means I2 for expanding the member 32. The well string 3D is provided to run the tester 3| into the well and to receive or conduct the well fluids produced into the tester 3l. rlhe string 3D may be an elongate assembly of pipe or tubing and may be made up of a plurality of'sections 33 connected by threadedv couplings 34. 'The string 3D may be assembled and run into the well in the usual manner;

The tester 3l is provided to receive the fluids from the earth formation in the open lower portion of the well. In accordance with the broader aspects of theinvention, the tester 3I may be of any selected form and construction. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings the tester 3| comprises a tubuv lar screen or perforated liner 35 and a tubular body 36 on the upper end ofthe liner 35. The liner 35 is provided with longitudinally and circumferentially spaced slots 31 for admitting the fluids from the earth formation. The liner 35 may be of less diameter than the string 3U to enter the open lower portion of the well W or the reduced rathole of a well with suitable clear-A ance. lThe body 3S of the tester 30 is in the nature of a tubular connector or adapter. A'socket 38 is provided in the lower end of the body 36 to receive the threaded upper end of the liner 35. A socket 39 of enlarged diameter is provided in the upper end of the body 33. A reduced passage 4D connects the sockets 38 and 39 and is controlled by a'valve 4I. The Valve .4I may be of any preferred construction or de- 36 and the valve 4I are preferablyconstruct-ed` of a drillable material such as copper, aluminum or an aluminum alloy so that the-tester 3I` mayv be readily drilled up by drilling tools operated in the Well W.

` The anchor member 32 is provided to-anchor the tester 3| in the Well W and to close oif the lower portion of the well so that the test fluid received by the tester 3I is uncontaminated. In the construction illustrated the anchor member 32 is interposed between the string 30 and the tester 3l. The member 32 is an elongate tubular element of substantially the same diameter as the string 30. In accordance with the invention the member 32 is constructed of a ductile metal such as copper, soft iron, aluminum,

an aluminum alloy, lead, a lead alloy, tin. or the.

like. `The ductile member 32 may be connected with the string 30 and tester 3l inl any suitable manner. In the case'illustrated the upper end of the member 32 is connectedl with the lowermost section 33 of the string 30 by a threaded coupling 34. The cooperating threads of the coupling 34 and the member 32 arepreferably left hand threads to'permit the easy disconnec- 'tion of the string 3U from the anchor member 32 when the latter is anchored in the well W. The; lower end of the member 32 may be'threaded in the socket 39 of thetester body 36. 'I'he member 32 is expansible into anchoring and sealing engagement with the wall of f the well W and it is preferred to construct the member 32 of substantial wall thickness.

` The means I2 for expandingv the member 32 may be identical with the means I2 employed in the previously described form of the invention and may be run down through thel string 33 on the line 22 to an operative position in the' member 32. The above described go-devil 25 may be dropped or run down the line 22 to actuate or discharge the explosive charge I3 of the means I2, as described above. v

'I'he method 'of the invention as employed in connection with the apparatus illustrated in Figs.

4 and 5 may be said tol comprlse'the arrange- Iment of the string 30,-the testerA 3| and the member 32 in the well W, the expansion of the member 32 by the means I2 to anchor the tester 3l in the well and to seal off the lower portion of the Well, the production vor recovery of the well fluids received by thete'ster 3l and the subsequent removai of the equipment from the wen W. Y

The tester 3| andv the member 32 are assembled as illustrated in the drawings and are connected with the lower end of the string 30. The

string 30 is run into the well W to bring the trated in Fig. 5 of the drawings where it tight- 1y engages and seals with the wall of the well W. The member 32 being formed of a ductile material conforms to the contour of the well wall and eiiectively seals with the earth formation. The member 32 is expanded against the wall of the well W with such force that it is securely anchored in place. Following thedischarge of the means I2 the line 22 carrying the weight agregar element 25 and the remaining portion of the means i2 is Withdrawn from the Well.

The fluid from the adjacent earth formation is allowed to produce into or through the liner 35 and this fluid may flow up through the member 32 and the string 3?. If the iuid is produced in sufficient quantities it may ilow from the upper end of the string 3Q. In other instances it may be necessary to pump or bail the test fluid from the member 32 and the String 30. If it is found that the Well produces through the testery Well and fully closes oi the producing lower portion of the well so that the produced iiuid is uncontaminated.

When the test has been completed or when the Well no longer produces inpaying quantities an attempt may be made to Withdraw the :member 32 andthe tester 3l by raising or pulling the string 35i. If this attempt is successful the .equipment may be easily Withdrawn from the well on the string 3U. On the other hand if it is found difficult or impossible to Withdraw the anchor member 32 and the tester 3l by means of the string 3G the string 3U may be disconnected from the anchor member and removed from the well. against turning through its engagement with the Wall of the Well W and the string 30 may be rotated to unthread its lowermost coupling 3 from the member 32. When the string 3@ has been withdrawn from the Well W a suitable well drilling tool may be run into the Well and operated to drill up the drillable member 32 and the drillable tester 3l. The member 32 and the tester 3l may be drilled into small fragments or cuttings by the drilling tool and these cuttings may be ilushed from the Well. The drilling up of the member 32v and the tester 3| leaves the Well bore open and clear f'or subsequent operations.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of the apparatus and typical preferred manners of carrying out the method of my invention, I do not Wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth,-

but Wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall Within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my inventiori, I claim:

The expanded anchor member 32 is heldl l. Ihe'method of anchoring an object in an oil. Well or gas Well comprising connecting a tubular member of ductile material with the object,

inserting the object and member into the Well, and expanding the member into anchoring engagement With the Wall of the well by discharging an explosive in the member.

2. The method of anchoring an object in an oil well or gas Well comprising connecting a tubular member of ductile material with the object, in-

serting the object and member into the well, lowering an explosive pressure generating means into the member, and then expanding the member into anchoring engagement with the Wall of the Well by firing said explosive means.

3. The method of anchoring a tubular Well string in an oil Well or gas well comprising providing a ductile section in the string, arranging the string in the Well, and expanding thesection into tight engagement With the wall of the Well by discharging an explosive in the section.

4. The herein described method comprising connecting a ductile tubular section with a formation tester, arranging the tester and section in a Well, and then expanding the section to r anchor against and seal with the wall of the Well above the tester by discharging an explosive in the section.

5. The herein describedmethod comprising connecting a drillable ductile tubular member with the upper end of a drillable formation tester, running the member and tester into a well on a tubular string, expanding the ductile member into contact Withvthe Wall of the Well by discharging an explosive in the member, allowing the Well to produce through the liner,

removing the string from the well, and then.v

drilling up the liner and member.

6. Apparatus of the character described comprising a string of well tubing, a pump anchor 'on the string, a ductile tubular membery connected 

